Vinegar is an acidic liquid produced from the fermentation of ethanol in a process that yields its key ingredient, acetic acid (ethanoic acid). It also may come in a diluted form. The pH of table vinegar ranges from 2.4 to 3.4 (higher if diluted). The acetic acid concentration typically ranges from 4% to 8% by volume for table vinegar and up to 18% for pickling vinegar. Natural vinegars also contain small amounts of tartaric acid, citric acid, and other acids. Vinegar has been used since ancient times and is an important element in European, Asian, and other cuisines.

One hundred grams of a 5% solution of acetic acid contains 76 kJ (18 kilocalories) of food energy.

The word "vinegar" derives from the Old French word "vinaigre" meaning "sour wine".

History

Vinegar has been made and used for thousands of years. According to Shennong's ''Herb Classic'', vinegar was invented in China during the Xia Dynasty, around 2000 BC. Though, traces of it have been found in Egyptian urns dating from around 3000 BC.

In the Tanakh and the Old Testament of the Bible, it is mentioned as unpleasant to drink (Ps. 69:21) and foolish to combine with ''nether'' (most likely soda ash, although possibly potash, natron, or niter) (Prov. 25:20), but more favorably as a condiment when Boaz allows Ruth to "dip her piece of bread in the vinegar" (Ruth 2:14). Jesus was offered vinegar or sour wine while on the cross (Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36). In Islamic traditions, vinegar is one of the four favored condiments of the Prophet Muhammad, who called it a "Blessed seasoning".

In 1864, Louis Pasteur showed that vinegar results from a natural fermentation process.

Production and microbiology

Vinegar is made from the fermentation of a variety of sources mainly containing carbohydrates and sugars. Ethanol is first produced as a result of fermentation of sugars, ethanol is then oxidized to acetic acid by the acetic acid bacteria (AAB). The ethanol may be derived from many different sources, including wine, cider, beer, or fermented fruit juice, or it may be made synthetically from natural gas and petroleum derivatives.

Aeration is a crucial step in the fermentation process. Excess air can ruin the product by complete oxidation of carbohydrates to CO₂ by yeast and other aerobic bacteria, while on the other hand, too little air will lead to high concentrations of alcohol resulting in the death of the acetic acid bacteria.

Commercial vinegar is produced either by fast or slow fermentation processes. Slow methods generally are used with traditional vinegars, and fermentation proceeds slowly over the course of weeks or months. The longer fermentation period allows for the accumulation of a nontoxic slime composed of acetic acid bacteria and soluble cellulose, known as mother of vinegar.

Fast methods add mother of vinegar (i.e., bacterial culture) to the source liquid before adding air using a venturi pump system or a turbine to promote oxygenation to obtain the fastest fermentation. In fast production processes, vinegar may be produced in a period ranging from 20 hours to three days.

Varieties

Malt

Malt vinegar is made by malting barley, causing the starch in the grain to turn to maltose. Then an ale is brewed from the maltose and allowed to turn into vinegar, which is then aged. It is typically light brown in color.

In the United Kingdom, salt and malt vinegar is a traditional seasoning for chips and crisps.

Wine

Wine vinegar is made from red or white wine, and is the most commonly used vinegar in Mediterranean countries and Central Europe. As with wine, there is a considerable range in quality. Better quality wine vinegars are matured in wood for up to two years, and exhibit a complex, mellow flavor. Wine vinegar tends to have a lower acidity than that of white or cider vinegars. More expensive wine vinegars are made from individual varieties of wine, such as Champagne, sherry, or pinot grigio.

Sherry vinegar

Production of sherry vinegar is linked to the production of wines of Jerez. The vinegar is made exclusively from the acetic fermentation of Sherry wines; the taste of this vinegar is stronger than wine. The resulting color of this vinegar is dark mahogany, it's concentrated and has generous aromas; the nose will notice the hue of wood. Sherry vinegar is ideal for vinaigrettes and salad dressings and for flavoring various foods.

There is evidence of its existence back in the first century after Christ, in the writings of Cadiz wiseman Columella. It is currently presented with quality products certified by the government of Andalusia and its production is regulated by the Consejo Regular del Vino y Brandy de Jerez (Council regulating the production of Jerez wine and brandy). Two types are found: "Vinagre de Jerez", which is aged for six months or "Vinagre de Jerez Reserva", which is aged for a minimum of two years (although the Council allows to specify the age if this is greater, and vinegar 20 or 30 years can old be found).

Apple cider

Apple cider vinegar, otherwise known simply as cider vinegar or ACV, is made from cider or apple must, and has a brownish-yellow color. It often is sold unfiltered and unpasteurized with the mother of vinegar present, as a natural product. It is very popular, partly because of beneficial health and beauty properties and possible weight-loss properties. Because of its acidity, apple cider vinegar may be very harsh, even burning, to the throat. If taken straight, (as opposed to used in cooking), it can be diluted (e.g., with fruit juice or water) before drinking. It is also sometimes sweetened with sugar or honey. There have been reports of acid chemical burns of the throat from apple cider vinegar tablets, but doubt remains as to whether apple cider vinegar was in fact an ingredient in the evaluated products." The pH of Apple cider vinegar is typically between pH 4.25 - 5.00 if undiluted.

Fruit

Fruit vinegars are made from fruit wines, usually without any additional flavoring. Common flavors of fruit vinegar include apple, blackcurrant, raspberry, quince, and tomato. Typically, the flavors of the original fruits remain in the final product.

Most fruit vinegars are produced in Europe, where there is a growing market for high-priced vinegars made solely from specific fruits (as opposed to nonfruit vinegars which are infused with fruits or fruit flavors). Several varieties, however, also are produced in Asia. Persimmon vinegar, called ''gam sikcho'' (감식초), is popular in South Korea. Jujube vinegar ^photo, called ''zaocu'' or ''hongzaocu'' (), and wolfberry vinegar ^photo, called ''gouqicu'' (), are produced in China.

''Jamun sirka'' (Hindi: जामुन सिरका), a vinegar produced from the ''jamun'' (or rose apple) fruit in India, is considered to be medicinally valuable for stomach, spleen and diabetic ailments.

Balsamic

Balsamic vinegar is an aromatic, aged type of vinegar traditionally crafted in the Modena and Reggio Emilia provinces of Italy from the concentrated juice, or must, of white grapes (typically of the Trebbiano variety). It is very dark brown in color, and its flavor is rich, sweet, and complex, with the finest grades being the product of years of aging in a successive number of casks made of various types of wood (including oak, mulberry, chestnut, cherry, juniper, ash, and acacia). Originally a product available only to the Italian upper classes, a cheaper form of balsamic vinegar became widely known and available around the world in the late 20th century. True balsamic vinegar (which has Protected Designation of Origin status) is aged for 12 to 25 years. Balsamic vinegars that have been aged for up to 100 years are available, though they are usually very expensive. The commercial balsamic sold in supermarkets is typically made with concentrated grape juice mixed with a strong vinegar, which is laced with caramel and sugar. Regardless of how it is produced, balsamic vinegar must be made from a grape product.

Balsamic vinegar has a high acidity level, but the tart flavor is usually hidden by the sweetness of the other ingredients, making it very mellow.

Rice

Rice vinegar is most popular in the cuisines of East and Southeast Asia. It is available in "white" (light yellow), red, and black varieties. The Japanese prefer a light rice vinegar for the preparation of sushi rice and salad dressings. Red rice vinegar traditionally is colored with red yeast rice. Black rice vinegar (made with black glutinous rice) is most popular in China, and it is also widely used in other East Asian countries.

White rice vinegar has a mild acidity and a somewhat "flat", uncomplex flavor. Some varieties of rice vinegar are sweetened or otherwise seasoned with spices or other added flavorings.

Coconut

Coconut vinegar, made from fermented coconut water, is used extensively in Southeast Asian cuisine (particularly in the Philippines and Sri Lanka, major producers, where it is called ''suka ng niyog'' or ''vinakiri''), as well as in some cuisines of India. A cloudy white liquid, it has a particularly sharp, acidic taste with a slightly yeasty note.

Palm

Palm vinegar, made from the fermented sap from flower clusters of the nipa palm (also called attap palm), is used most often in the Philippines, where it is produced, and where it is called ''sukang paombong''. Its pH is between five and six.

Cane

Cane vinegar, made from sugar cane juice, is most popular in the Philippines, in particular, the Ilocos Region of the northern Philippines (where it is called ''sukang iloko''), although it also is produced in France and the United States. It ranges from dark yellow to golden brown in color, and has a mellow flavor, similar in some respects, to rice vinegar, though with a somewhat "fresher" taste. Contrary to expectation, containing no residual sugar, it is not sweeter than other vinegars. In the Philippines, it often is labeled as ''sukang maasim'', although this is simply a generic term meaning "sour vinegar".

Cane vinegars from Ilocos also varies in two different types: ''basi'' (sweet) and ''suka'' (sour). The sweet vinegar is used as a wine in Ilokanos, while the other type of vinegar is used as a seasoning and preservative.

A white variation has become quite popular in Brazil in recent years, where it is the cheapest type of vinegar sold. It is now common for other types of vinegar (made from wine, rice and apple cider) to be sold mixed with cane vinegar to lower the costs.

Raisin

Vinegar made from raisins, called ''khal 'anab'' (خل عنب) in Arabic (grape vinegar) is used in cuisines of the Middle East, and is produced there. It is cloudy and medium brown in color, with a mild flavor.^photo

Date

Vinegar made from dates is a traditional product of the Middle East.

Beer

Vinegar made from beer is produced in the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Although its flavor depends on the particular type of beer from which it is made, it is often described as having a malty taste. That produced in Bavaria is a light golden color with a very sharp and not-overly-complex flavor.

Honey

Vinegar made from honey is rare, although commercially available honey vinegars are produced in Italy, France, Romania and Spain.

East Asian black

Chinese black vinegar is an aged product made from rice, wheat, millet, sorghum, or a combination thereof. It has an inky black color and a complex, malty flavor. There is no fixed recipe, so some Chinese black vinegars may contain added sugar, spices, or caramel color. The most popular variety, Zhenjiang vinegar (鎮江香醋), originated in the city of Zhenjiang, in the eastern coastal province of Jiangsu, China and also is produced in Tianjin and Hong Kong.

A somewhat lighter form of black vinegar, made from rice, also is produced in Japan, where it is called ''kurozu''. Since 2004, it has been marketed as a healthful drink; its manufacturers claim it contains high concentrations of amino acids. Recent research on ''kurozu'' has revealed its anticancer properties ''in vivo'' on rats and ''in vitro'' on human cancer cells.

Flavored vinegars

Popular fruit-flavored vinegars include those infused with whole raspberries, blueberries, or figs (or else from flavorings derived from these fruits). Some of the more exotic fruit-flavored vinegars include blood orange and pear.

Herb vinegars are flavored with herbs, most commonly Mediterranean herbs, such as thyme, tarragon or oregano. Such vinegars can be prepared at home by adding sprigs of fresh or dried herbs to vinegar purchased at a grocery store; generally a light-colored, mild tasting vinegar, such as that made from white wine, is used for this purpose.

Sweetened vinegar is of Cantonese origin, and is made from rice wine, sugar and herbs, including ginger, cloves, and other spices.

Job's tears

In Japan, an aged vinegar also is made from Job's tears, a tall, grain-bearing, tropical plant. The vinegar is similar in flavor to rice vinegar.

Kombucha

Kombucha vinegar is made from kombucha, a symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria. The bacteria produce a complex array of nutrients and populate the vinegar with bacteria which some claim promotes a healthy digestive tract, although no scientific studies have confirmed this. Kombucha vinegar primarily is used to make a vinaigrette, and is flavored by adding strawberries, blackberries, mint, or blueberries at the beginning of fermentation.

Kiwifruit

A byproduct of commercial kiwifruit growing is a large amount of waste in the form of firstly misshapen or otherwise rejected fruit that may constitute up to 30 per cent of the crop and secondly kiwifruit pomace which is the presscake residue left after kiwifruit juice manufacture. One of the uses for this waste is the production of kiwifruit vinegar, produced commercially in New Zealand since, at least, the early 1990s, and in China in 2008.

Sinamak

A variation of cane vinegar from the Philippines (''sukang maasim'') is called ''sinamak'' which is simply a spiced version that mixes the cane vinegar with ''siling labuyo'', onions and garlic.

Distilled vinegar

Any type of vinegar may be distilled to produce a colorless solution of about 5% to 8% acetic acid in water. This is variously known as distilled spirit or "virgin" vinegar, or white vinegar, and is used for medicinal, laboratory and cleaning purposes, as well as in cooking, baking, meat preservation, and pickling. The most common starting material, because of its low cost, is malt vinegar.

Spirit vinegar

The term 'spirit vinegar' is sometimes reserved for the stronger variety (5% to 20% acetic acid) made from sugar cane or from chemically produced acetic acid.

Culinary uses

Vinegar is commonly used in food preparation, particularly in pickling processes, vinaigrettes, and other salad dressings. It is an ingredient in sauces such as mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Vinegar is sometimes used while making chutneys. It is often used as a condiment. Marinades often contain vinegar.

Condiment for beetroot — cold, cooked beetroot is commonly eaten with vinegar

Condiment for fish and chips — in the UK and Ireland, salt and malt vinegar (or non-brewed condiment) is sprinkled on chips.

Flavoring for potato chips — many American, Canadian and British manufacturers of packaged potato chips and crisps feature a variety flavored with vinegar and salt.

Vinegar pie — a North American variant on the dessert, chess pie. It is flavored with a small amount of cider vinegar and some versions also contain raisins, spices and sour cream.

Pickling — any vinegar can be used to pickle foods.

Cider vinegar and sauces — cider vinegar usually is not suitable for use in delicate sauces.

Apple cider vinegar - Usually placed on the table in small bowls or cups so that people can dip their crab meat into it. Also mixed with water and used to steam crabs.

Substitute for fresh lemon juice — cider vinegar can usually be substituted for fresh lemon juice in recipes and obtain a pleasing effect although it lacks the vitamin C.

Saucing roast lamb — pouring cider vinegar over the meat when roasting lamb, especially when combined with honey or when sliced onions have been added to the roasting pan, produces a sauce.

Sweetened vinegar is used in the dish of pork knuckles and ginger stew which is made among Chinese people of Cantonese backgrounds to celebrate the arrival of a new child.

Sushi rice — Japanese use rice vinegar as an essential ingredient for sushi rice.

Red vinegar — Sometimes used in Chinese soups

Flavoring — used in the Southern U.S. to flavor collard greens, green beans, black-eyed peas, or cabbage to taste.

Commonly put into mint sauce, for general palate preference.

Vinegar — especially the coconut, cane, or palm variety — is one of the principal ingredients of Philippine cuisine.

White vinegar can be used as flavoring in ham and beans

Medical uses

Many remedies and treatments have been ascribed to vinegar over millennia and in many different cultures, however, few have been verifiable using controlled medical trials and many that are effective to some degree have significant side effects and carry the possibility of serious health risks.

Soothing for sunburns

White vinegar applied as a spray to tissue draped over a sunburn helps restore the lost acidic level to the skin, and gives a cooling effect.

Possible cholesterol and triacylglycerol effects

A 2006 study concluded that a test group of rats fed with acetic acid (the main component of vinegar) had "significantly lower values for serum total cholesterol and triacylglycerol", among other health benefits. Rats fed vinegar or acetic acid have lower blood pressure than controls, although the effect has not been tested in humans. Reduced risk of fatal ischemic heart disease was observed among participants in a trial who ate vinegar and oil salad dressings frequently.

Blood glucose control and diabetic management

Prior to hypoglycemic agents, diabetics used vinegar teas to control their symptoms. Small amounts of vinegar (approximately 25 g of domestic vinegar) added to food, or taken along with a meal, have been shown by a number of medical trials to reduce the glycemic index of carbohydrate food for people with and without diabetes. This also has been expressed as lower glycemic index ratings in the region of 30%.

Diet control

Multiple trials indicate that taking vinegar with food increases satiety (the feeling of fullness) and so, reduces the amount of food consumed.

Antimicrobial use

Vinegar has been used to fight infections since Hippocrates, who lived between 460-377 BC, prescribed it for curing persistent coughs. As a result, vinegar is popularly believed to be effective against infections.

Researchers at the Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de la Grasa (CSIC) in Seville, Spain, conducted research on the antimicrobial activity of several food products, among them olive oil, and vinegar. The following microorganisms were used in the study: ''S. aureus'', ''L. monocytogenes'', ''S. Enteritidis'', ''E.coli'' 0157:H7, ''S. sonnei'' and ''Yersinia'' sp. Of the products tested, vinegar (5% acetic acid) and olive oil showed the strongest bactericidal activity against all strains tested, which was attributed to their high acetic acid content and high phenolic compounds content, respectively.

See cleaning uses for further references regarding antimicrobial use.

Other medicinal uses

Applying vinegar to common jellyfish stings deactivates the nematocysts; however, placing the affected areas in hot water is a more effective treatment because the venom is deactivated by heat. The latter requires immersion in 45 °C (113 °F) water for at least four minutes for the pain to be reduced to less than what would be accomplished using vinegar. But vinegar should not be applied to Portuguese man o' war stings, however, since they are not actually jellyfish and vinegar can cause their nematocysts to discharge venom, making the pain worse. Vinegar is often used as a natural deodorant, mainly because of its antibacterial effect. Diluted vinegar can also be used as a hair conditioner and detangler by pouring over wet hair and rinsing. No vinegar smell remains after hair has been rinsed and dried.

Vinegar has been shown ineffective for use against lice but significantly more effective than placebo for the treatment of warts.

Contrary to myth, vinegar cannot be used as a detoxification agent to circumvent urinalysis testing for cannabis.

Potential hazards

Esophageal injury by apple cider vinegar tablets has been reported, and because vinegar products sold for medicinal purposes are neither regulated nor standardized, they vary widely in content, pH, and other respects. Long-term heavy vinegar ingestion may also cause hypokalemia, hyperreninemia, and osteoporosis.

Cervical cancer screening tool

Diluted vinegar 3% to 5%, has also been tested as an effective screening tool for cervical cancer. Vinegar changes the color of affected tissue to white, making diagnosis by inspection possible, reducing in 35% the mortality for early detection against control group.

Vinegar in Islamic medicine

The Islamic prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, "The best of condiments or condiment is vinegar." Avicenna, in his famous book ''The Canon of Medicine'', mentions several beneficial medicinal uses for vinegar: it is a powerful clotting agent, it heals burns and skin inflammations, and it relieves headaches caused by heat. He also considers vinegar a good digestive supplement. Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya also mentions the merits of vinegar in his book, Al Tibb al Nabawi (The Prophetic Medicine). In this book, he mentions that wine vinegar helps against gastric inflammation and bile, and prevents the effects of toxic medications and poisonous mushrooms. He also notes that vinegar quenches thirst, acts as an appetite stimulant, and prevents tumors from occurring. It helps the digestion process.

Cleaning uses

White vinegar is often used as a household cleaning agent. Because it is acidic, it can dissolve mineral deposits from glass, coffee makers, and other smooth surfaces. For most uses dilution with water is recommended for safety and to avoid damaging the surfaces being cleaned.

Vinegar is an excellent solvent for cleaning epoxy resin and hardener, even after the epoxy has begun to harden. Malt vinegar sprinkled onto crumpled newspaper is a traditional, and still-popular, method of cleaning grease-smeared windows and mirrors in the UK. Vinegar can be used for polishing brass or bronze.

Vinegar has some antibacterial properties, though these are too weak or inconsistent for it to be used effectively as a disinfectant.

Recently, vinegar has been marketed as a green solution for many household cleaning problems. For example, vinegar has been cited recently as an eco-friendly urine cleaner for pets and as a weed killer.

Agricultural and horticultural uses

Herbicide use

Vinegar can be used as an herbicide. Acetic acid is not absorbed into root systems; the vinegar will kill top growth, but perennial plants will reshoot.

Most commercial vinegar solutions available to consumers for household use do not exceed 5%. Stronger solutions are available from some retailers, but it should be noted that solutions of 10% and above require careful handling, because they are corrosive and damaging to the skin.

Miscellaneous

When a bottle of vinegar is opened, mother of vinegar may develop. It is considered harmless and can be removed by filtering.

Vinegar eels (''Turbatrix aceti''), a form of nematode that has cells that are air-borne, may occur in some forms of vinegar unless the vinegar is kept covered. These feed on the mother of vinegar and can occur in naturally fermenting vinegar. This is the reason vinegar condiment jars have tightly-fitting stoppers. Most manufacturers filter and pasteurize their product before bottling to eliminate any potential adulteration, although they are harmless when ingested.

When vinegar is added to sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), it produces a volatile mixture which rapidly decomposes into water, carbon dioxide and sodium acetate, which makes the reaction fizz. It is often used to illustrate typical acid-base reactions in school science experiments.

Some countries prohibit the selling of vinegar over a certain percentage acidity. As an example, the government of Canada limits the acetic acid of vinegars to between 4.1% and 12.3%.

Posca, a Roman legionaries' basic drink was vinegar mixed with water and optional honey.

According to legend, in France during the Black Plague, four thieves were able to rob houses of plague victims without being infected themselves. When finally caught, the Judge offered to grant the men their freedom, on the condition that they revealed how they managed to stay healthy. They claimed that a medicine woman sold them a potion, made of garlic soaked in soured red wine (vinegar). Variants of the recipe, called Four Thieves Vinegar, have been passed down for hundreds of years and are a staple of New Orleans hoodoo practices.

Diluted vinegar can be used as a homemade stop bath during photographic processing.

Vinegar (acetic acid) is sometimes used in place of fruit juice (citric acid) or muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) to convert freebase cocaine into ''Cocaine acetate'', which is a salt form readily soluble in water, in stark contrast to the freebase form.

See also

Food additive

Non-brewed condiment

References

External links

Gasoline from Vinegar MIT Technology Review

Vinegars of the World. Solieri and Giudici, ISBN: 978-88-470-0865-6

Category:Condiments

ar:خل an:Vinagre arc:ܚܠܐ (ܚܡܪܐ) frp:Vinégro ast:Vinagre az:Sirkə br:Gwinegr bg:Оцет ca:Vinagre cs:Ocet cy:Finegr da:Eddike de:Essig et:Äädikas eml:Asé es:Vinagre eo:Vinagro eu:Ozpin fa:سرکه fr:Vinaigre ga:Fínéagar gl:Vinagre ko:식초 hi:सिरका hr:Ocat io:Vinagro is:Edik it:Aceto he:חומץ rw:Vinegre la:Acetum lt:Actas nl:Azijn nds-nl:Edik ja:酢 no:Eddik nn:Eddik pl:Ocet pt:Vinagre qu:Mama aqha ru:Уксус scn:Acitu si:විනාකිරි simple:Vinegar sk:Ocot sl:Kis sr:Сирће sh:Ocat fi:Etikka sv:Vinäger tl:Suka (pagkain) ta:வினிகர் th:น้ำส้มสายชู tr:Sirke uk:Оцет ur:سرکہ vec:Axedo vi:Giấm vls:Azyn war:Suoy yi:עסיג zh:醋

Coordinates	33°51′35.9″N151°12′40″N
name	Anna Abreu
background	solo_singer
birth name	Anna Eira Margarida Mourão de Melo e Abreu
birth date	February 07, 1990
origin	Vantaa, Finland
instrument	singing
genre	Pop, R&B;, Dance
years active	2007–present
label	Sony BMG (2007-Present)
associated acts	Ari Koivunen, Hanna Pakarinen, Redrama
website	Official website
notable instruments	}}

Anna Abreu (born Anna Eira Margarida Mourão de Melo e Abreu on February 7, 1990 in Vantaa, Finland) is a Finnish-Portuguese singer who rose to fame as the runner-up of the third series of the Finnish singing talent show ''Idols'' in 2007. Her music is primarily pop, though her songs also have R&B;, dance and Latin rhythms to them. Since her participation in ''Idols'', Abreu has become one of the best-selling Finnish ''Idols'' contestants and one of the most successful Finnish female singers, with certified record sales surpassing 180,000 copies.

Biography

Early life

Abreu's Portuguese father Paulo lives in Sintra, Portugal, while she and her Finnish mother Liisa lives in Vantaa with Anna. Abreu has a brother Emil, who is four years older than she is. As a young girl she lived in Portugal and outside music, her other hobbies include reggaeton-dance and playing the violin. Abreu became multi-lingual at a young age, being fluent in Finnish, Portuguese, English, Spanish and a little Swedish.

''Idols'' Series 3

In the summer of 2006, the sixteen-year-old Abreu auditioned for the third season of the singing competition ''Finnish Pop Idol'' in the Finnish capital, Helsinki. She sang the Alicia Keys hit "Fallin'" and "Jumala" by Finnish rock band Apulanta. The contests four judges were all impressed by the power and conviction of her voice, especially as Abreu was only sixteen years old. She passed through to the theatre rounds of the contest and then the live finals. Abreu's performances attracted heavy public support, however, during the top 5 results show, she shockingly landed in the bottom two contestants alongside Panu Larnos. Abreu survived the elimnation and made it through to the live grand finale at Helsinki Ice Hall with fellow contestant Ari Koivunen, who sang exclusively in the heavy-metal genre. On April 5, 2007, Koivunen won the crown as the third Finnish Idol with 57% of the public vote, with Abreu declared as runner-up.

''Idols'' Performances

"I Will Survive

Show !! width="200"	Artist
Audition	"Fallin'""Jumala"	Alicia KeysApulanta
Theater Rounds	Oon voimissain""Get the Party Started" || Vicky RostiPink
Semi-Finals	Broken (Seether song)>Broken"
Top 7	Nothing Compares 2 U" >
Top 6	"A Woman's Worth"
Top 5	The First Cut Is the Deepest#Sheryl Crow version>The First Cut Is the Deepest"
Top 4	"A Dios le Pido""Jumala"
Top 3	"Vahva""Rakkauden haudalla"
Grand Finale	"Fallin'""I Love Rock 'n' Roll""Solta-se o Beijo""On the Top of the World"

Post-''Idols'' career

2007–2008: ''Anna Abreu''

Following her participation in ''Idols'', Abreu was signed to Sony BMG Finland and her Latino-inspired, debut single "End of Love" was released in July 2007. The song debuted and peaked at number eight on the singles chart and was accompanied by Abreu's first music video. Her self-titled debut album, ''Anna Abreu'' was released a month later on August 22 and was certified platinum within its first week after going straight into the chart at number one and selling 30,000 copies. To date, its first week sales are among the highest in Finnish music history. The album's second single "Ivory Tower" was released in October 2007, and after initially debuting at number seventeen, the song peaked at number five in its seventh week. A third single "Are You Ready" was released for promotional purposes only. In March 2008, the debut album ''Anna Abreu'' was released and it has sold double-platinum with over 86,000 copies to date. In the same month at the MTV Europe Music Awards, Abreu was nominated for Best Finnish Act.

2008–2009: ''Now''

After a sell-out tour across Finland to promote her debut album, Abreu returned to the recording studio to work on her second album. On July 31, 2008 the lead single "Vinegar" was released. Produced by Patric Sarin and Rauli Eskolin, the dance-orientated song marked a creative step away from the pop and RnB roots of Abreu's debut album. The song hit the number one spot on the Finnish charts and stayed there, not only becoming Abreu's first number one single but also one of the highest-selling singles of 2008. Second single, "Silent Depair" was released in early October, followed by the album ''Now'' on 22 October. The album became Abreu's second number one album and was certified platinum, selling over 50,000 copies. It was the highest selling album of 2008 in Finland and spawned two further singles with "Something About U" and "Come Undone", though the songs were used only for promotional purposes. In early 2009, Abreu supported ''Now'' with a cross-country tour, which like her first tour, played to sold-out venues.

It was reported that Abreu earned over 145,000 euros in 2008 through a combination of album sales, touring and public appearances, making her one of Finland's highest-earning singers.

2009–2010: ''Just A Pretty Face?''

In August 2009, less than a year after the release of Abreu's second album, her record label Sony BMG announced that Abreu would release her third studio album later that year. The lead single "Music Everywhere" received its radio premiere on 5 August and was released five days later. After initially debuting at number four, the single rose to its peak of number two after Abreu's televised performance on the Finnish Children In Need, narrowing missing out on becoming Abrue's second number one single. Like "Vinegar" from her previous album, the single was dance-orientated, with Abreu stating that her new album would be almost completely dance and club based.

In September 2009 it was announced that Abreu and fellow ''Idols'' contestant Antti Tuisku would be embarking on a joint tour across Finland named the ''Pop Royalty Tour'' in 2010 to support their new albums. Tickets for the dates sold out within a matter of minutes and further tour dates had to be added to accommodate the huge public demand. At the same time, Abreu's record label announced that a remixed version of "Vinegar", the lead single from Abreu's second album, would be released as her debut single in the UK on 22 November. It went on to peak at number 7 on the UK Club Chart. On October 21, almost exactly one year after the release of her second album, Abreu released her third, ''Just A Pretty Face?'' in Finland. After only one day, the album was certified gold, having sold 23,000 copies in its first day of release alone. It peaked at number two on the Finnish albums chart and has since become Abreu's third consecutive platinum album. It was the sixth highest-selling album of 2009, despite only being released in October.

On April 11, 2010, Abreu performed her new promotional single "Slam" on the first series of the Finnish ''X Factor'', which had replaced ''Idols'', the show that had given Abreu the platform from which to launch her music career in 2007.

2010–present: ''Rush''

In late August 2010, Abreu announced via her official Facebook page that she had begun work on her fourth, ''Rush''. Abreu stated that she hoped to include a collaboration on the new album, and asked fans who they would like to hear her duet with. The first single, Hysteria, was released 10 January 2011. Her fourth studio album was released on the 30th March 2011 and debuted at number 1, becoming Abreu's third chart-topping album. The album's second single has been announced to be "Worst Part Is Over", featuring Finnish-Swedish rapper Redrama. They will perform the song on the April 17 results show of the fifth series of ''Idols''.

Discography

Tours

2007: ''Anna Abreu Live'' Tour 2008-2009: ''Now'' Tour 2009-2010: ''Just A Pretty Face?'' Tour 2010: ''Pop Royalty'' Tour (co-headlining with Antti Tuisku) 2010: "Walking on Water" Tour

Awards and nominations

Emma Awards

|- | rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"|2008 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|Anna Abreu | Emma Award for Female Soloist of the Year | |- | Emma Award for Domestic Artist of the Year | |- | rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|''Anna Abreu'' | Emma Award for Debut Album of the Year | |- | Emma Award for Pop Album of the Year | |- | rowspan="1" style="text-align:left;"|"End of Love" | Emma Award for Song of the Year | |- | rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"|2009 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|Anna Abreu | Emma Award for Female Soloist of the Year | |- | Emma Award for Domestic Artist of the Year | |- | rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|''Now'' | Emma Award for Album of the Year | |- | Emma Award for Pop Album of the Year | |- | rowspan="1" style="text-align:left;"|"Vinegar" | Emma Award for Song of the Year | |- | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|2010 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|Anna Abreu | Emma Award for Female Soloist of the Year | |- | Emma Award for Domestic Artist of the Year | |-

MTV Europe Music Awards

|- | rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|2008 | rowspan="1" style="text-align:left;"|Anna Abreu | MTV Europe Music Award for Best Finnish Act | |-

See also

List of best-selling music artists in Finland

References

External links

Anna Abreu's Official Website

Anna Abreu – MySpace.com

Category:1990 births Category:Living people Category:People from Vantaa Category:Finnish female singers Category:Idols (Finland) Category:Finnish people of Portuguese descent

de:Anna Abreu et:Anna Abreu el:Άννα Αμπρέου es:Anna Abreu eu:Anna Abreu it:Anna Abreu ja:アンナ・アブレウ pt:Anna Abreu fi:Anna Abreu sv:Anna Abreu zh:安娜·阿布瑞尤

Coordinates	33°51′35.9″N151°12′40″N
name	Elkie Brooks
background	solo_singer
birth name	Elaine Bookbinder
birth date	February 25, 1945
origin	Broughton, Lancashire, England, UK
spouse	Trevor Jordan (Sound Engineer)
instrument	Vocals
genre	Pop/Rock/Jazz/Blues
occupation	Singer
years active	1960–present
associated acts	Vinegar Joe, Robert Palmer, Humphrey Lyttelton
website	http://www.elkiebrooks.net/
notable instruments	Piano/Fender Rhodes}}

Elkie Brooks (born 25 February 1945, Broughton, Salford) is an English , Rock, Blues, Jazz singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. She is known for her powerful husky voice. Elkie Brooks is a patron of International Animal Rescue.

Life and career

Brooks was born in 1945 as Elaine Bookbinder to a Jewish father and Catholic mother in Broughton, Salford and raised in Prestwich. She attended North Salford Secondary Modern School.

According to Brooks, her unofficial debut was a gig at a club called the "Laronde" on Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester when she was thirteen. A professional singer since she was fifteen, Brooks' debut, a cover of Etta James's "Something's Got A Hold On Me", was released on Decca in 1964. She spent most of the 1960s on Britain's cabaret scene, a period of her life that she did not particularly enjoy. In the early 1960s Brooks supported The Beatles in their Christmas show in London, then, as an established act, helped the Small Faces in their early career by introducing them at several venues. She went on to tour the United States with several bands including the Animals.

After she met Pete Gage, whom she would marry, she joined the short-lived fusioneers Dada before forming Vinegar Joe with Gage and Robert Palmer. Elkie gained the reputation as the wild woman of "Rock n Roll" due to her wild stage performances. After three albums, they split up in 1974, and Brooks and Palmer both went solo. After a time as backing singer with the American southern boogie band Wet Willie, she returned to England. Her first solo album on A&M; records was ''Rich Man's Woman'' (1975). Elkie was given a hard time due to the album's cover, which was considered outrageous for the time.

It came before a run of sixteen UK hit albums in twenty-five years, starting with ''Two Days Away'', produced by the legendary duo Leiber & Stoller, who had also worked with Elvis Presley and many others (1977). Brooks wrote some tracks with Leiber and Stoller. The hits "Pearl's a Singer", "Sunshine After the Rain" came from this album. "Lilac Wine", Don't Cry Out Loud, came later. The albums ''Shooting Star'' (1978), ''Live and Learn'' (1979), ''Pearls'' (at the time, the largest selling album by a British female artist) (1981), "Fool (If You Think It's Over)" was a hit for Brooks taken from this album, written by Chris Rea. ''Pearls II'' (1982), ''Minutes'' (1984) and ''Screen Gems'', the first album to be produced on CD in the UK (1984), were all UK chart successes.

In 1986 ''No More the Fool'' gave her biggest hit single to date while the parent album reached the top 5. The haunting video featured a young Leah Harounoff founder of the Inside of Out Theatre Group who in 2011 perfomed Titus Andronicus at the Barons Court Theatre to critical acclaim. Following chart success ensued with the albums ''The Very Best of'' (1986), ''Bookbinders Kid'' On ''Bookbinders Kid'', she covered "What's The Matter Baby" previously recorded by Timi Yuro (1988), Yuro impressed with Elkie's version contacted Brooks to tell her so. The two remained friends. ''Inspiration'' (1981), ''Round Midnight'' (1993), ''Nothin' But the Blues'' (1994), ''Amazing'' (1996) and ''The Very Best of'' (1997). In 1980 Brooks performed at the Knebworth Festival with The Beach Boys, Santana and Mike Oldfield.

Brooks' success landed her in the ''Guinness Book of Records'' as the most charted British female album artist of the last 30 years.

In March 2003 she participated in the ITV music talent show ''Reborn in the USA'', alongside musicians such as Peter Cox (Go West Singer), Tony Hadley and Leee John. The ''Electric Lady'' album (2005) saw a return to her blues and rock roots, featuring self-penned tracks alongside re-workings of numbers by The Doors, Bob Dylan, Paul Rodgers and Tony Joe White. The following year saw the release of her first official DVD, titled ''Elkie Brooks & Friends: Pearls'' featuring an array of guest musicians.

Brooks has toured almost every year during her solo career. Her 1982 UK concert tour was seen by more than 140,000 people in just three months. She has performed at every major UK theatre including sell out runs at the London Palladium, Dominion Theatre, Hammersmith Apollo, Ronnie Scott's, Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena. Brooks was offered "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" but turned it down. It was then recorded by Julie Covington, and by others. Brooks also turned down the song " The Flame " it was then recorded by the band " Cheap Trick " it reached no. 1 in the U.S. and no. 1 in Australia.

Brooks' 20th studio album - ''Powerless'' was released in 2010 , featuring songs such as Prince's "Purple Rain" and Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love".

Family

In 1978 she married sound engineer Trevor Jordan; they have two sons. Trevor Jordan has been Brooks's sound engineer since 1977.

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album	!width="40"	Label
	''Rich Man's Woman''	align="center"
	''Two Days Away''
	''Pearls II''
	''Bookbinder's Kid''
	''Pearls III (Close to the Edge)''	align="center"
	''Nothin' But the Blues''
		align="center"
		align="center"
		align="center"
	''Electric Lady''	align="center"
	''Powerless''	align="center"

Live albums

Year	Album	Label
	''The Pearls Concert''
	''Live 2000''
	''Live With Friends''

Compilations

Year	Album	!width="40"	Label
	''The Very Best of Elkie Brooks (Telstar)''
	''The last teardrop''
	''The Very Best of Elkie Brooks (Polygram)''

Singles

Year	Song	!width="40"	Album	Label
	"Something's Got a Hold on Me"	align="center"
align="center"
	"Nothing Left to Do but Cry"	align="center"
align="center"
	"The Way You Do the Things You Do"	align="center"
align="center"
	"He's Gotta Love Me"	align="center"
align="center"
	"All of My Life"	align="center"
align="center"
	"Baby Let Me Love You"	align="center"
align="center"
	"Come September"	align="center"
align="center"
		align="center"
align="center"
	"Where Do We Go From Here"	align="center"
	"He's a Rebel"	align="center"
	"Pearl's a Singer"
	"Saved"	align="center"
	"Sunshine After the Rain"
	"Do Right Woman, Do Right Man"	align="center"
	"Lilac Wine"
	"Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
	"Since You Went Away"	align="center"
	"Stay with Me" (Netherlands only)	align="center"
	"Don't Cry Out Loud"
	"The Runaway"		align="center"
	"He Could Have Been an Army"	align="center"
	"Falling Star"	align="center"
	"Why Don't You Say It"	align="center"
align="center"
	"Paint Your Pretty Picture"	align="center"
	"Dance Away"	align="center"
	"Warm and Tender Love"	align="center"
	"Fool (If You Think It's Over)"(Chris Rea cover)
	"Our Love"
	"Nights in White Satin"
	"Will You Write Me a Song"	align="center"
	"Gasoline Alley"
	"I Just Can't Go On"	align="center"
	"Minutes"	align="center"
	"Driftin'"	align="center"
	"Once in a While"	align="center"
	"No More the Fool"
	"Break the Chain"
	"We've Got Tonight"
	"Sail On"	align="center"
	"Shame"	align="center"
	"You're the Inspiration" (Belgium only)	align="center"
	"I'll Never Love This Way Again"	align="center"
	"For the World" (withdrawn before release)	align="center"
align="center"
	"The Last Teardrop"	align="center"
	"One of a Kind (Belgium only)"	align="center"
	"Too Much To Lose"
	"Out of the Rain"	align="center"
	"Powerless"	align="center"

References

External links

Official website of Elkie Brooks

"Elkie Brooks, Cabot Hall, London", ''The Guardian'', September 9, 2005, by Robin Denselow

Category:1945 births Category:English female singers Category:English soul singers Category:Living people Category:People from Broughton, Greater Manchester Category:People from Prestwich Category:Music from Salford Category:Musicians from Manchester Category:British rhythm and blues boom musicians

de:Elkie Brooks fr:Elkie Brooks nl:Elkie Brooks pt:Elkie Brooks fi:Elkie Brooks uk:Елкі Брукс